Over 50,000 visitors from 48 countries attended the 26th edition of the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, Jewellery Arabia 2017, marking a 3% increase over the previous event.

Jewels, gems and watches worth over US$ 1 billion went on display at the glittering five-day exhibition held over an area of 21,000 square meters at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

“A healthy increase in attendee numbers coupled with sustained participation from exhibitors reflects Jewellery Arabia’s continuing strength in the Middle East and its position as a leading event in the global industry calendar,” said show organiser UBM AEM’s Director of Sales and Marketing Fawzi Al Shehabi.

“We look forward to building on this success at the next edition of the show set to place from 20 – 24 November 2018 in Bahrain,” he continued.

International visitors at Jewellery Arabia 2017 accounted for 43% of the total marking a 1% increase. Visitors from Saudi Arabia – the Middle East’s largest market – accounted for 73% of overseas buyers and 31.5% of the total show attendance, representing a 1.5% increase.

The exhibition was inaugurated on 21 November 2017 by the show patron His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister emphasised the Bahrain government’s full support for the Jewellery Arabia series and the importance of the gold and jewellery sector to the local economy.

“The gold and jewellery industry is a genuine Bahraini heritage. We are keen to support this industry and preserve it in a way that maintains its historic and long-standing status,” said the Prime Minister.

His Excellency the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani affirmed that the jewellery sector is top priority within the Ministry’s strategy as part of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and pledged support for the exhibition industry and business tourism, noting they have become a pillar of the Kingdom’s economic development.

Jewellery Arabia 2017 witnessed the launch of a Bahrain pavilion coordinated by the GCC Gold and Jewellery Association, Tamkeen and UBM AEM. Named the ‘Aradous Pavilion,’ it showcased locally produced gold coins, gold and pearl jewellery from local manufacturers and designers.

Total sales during the show of Bahrain jewellery exceeded US$ 26.5 million according to custom’s officials, representing a 60% increase.

The Bahrain pavilion at Jewellery Arabia 2017 joined large returning delegations of exhibitors from Hong Kong, India, Singapore and Thailand.

World famous watch and jewellery houses, major brands and a host of leading designers, retailers and manufacturers from across the globe concluded this line up.

During the course of the show visitors were offered free gem and jewellery education opportunities by the world’s foremost authority on gemmology, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and the newly launched Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT).